Do you dry out sterilised breast pump equipment before pumping?

A good shake or I have popped it in the fridge propped up on a tray to drain, as I only pumped in the early hours

I rightly or wrongly dry it off with a piece of paper towel as I’m putting them on. I figure there are bugs on my boobs anyway right?!?

I shook it off and just left any droplets on. I figured more bacteria on kitchen towels or whatever than sterilised water and the amount left in there is negligible that baby would consume after pumping ! And I had a second set of parts too. Washing and sterilising it seven or so times a day for months as I pumped exclusively for the first few months drove me to the brink so I definitely recommend spares :)

I bought a bottle/pump parts washer/steriliser and dryer, and had 3 sets of pump parts on rotation so I always had a clean dry set to use. It was incredibly extra, but saved my sanity when I was deep in the pumping life.

Another vote for having a second set of pump parts. I always have one set on some kitchen towel, propped up, drying. Midwives, HV’s and GP’s have all said to me that there really isn’t any need to sterilise breast pumps as long as you wash them really well because you wouldn’t sterilise your nipple! I personally feel better sterilising them and this approach works for me

I find the stuff dries a lot slower after the steam steriliser, whereas if I soak my bits in Milton solution (just a washing up bowl with a couple of tablets in it) then it dries out much faster. I also have two sets of bottles, so I can rotate and use the driest ones. If all else fails, a quick wipe with a Milton wipe or some kitchen roll does the trick. Don’t worry too much about your parts not being totally sterile - breast milk isn’t sterile. Your skin isn’t sterile. The important thing is that your parts and bottles are super clean as bacteria can multiply quickly in milk residue. If you are pumping all day long, something you can do is give your pump parts a good once over with a Milton wipe, put them in a ziplock bag and store them in the fridge until it’s time to pump again, then give them a good wash/sterilise in the evening. I maybe wouldn’t do it with a very young infant (under three months) but it’s fine to do it once they are a bit older.

Technically certain parts are supposed to be dry before putting it back together as I can affect the suction of the pump. Usually it's the rubber parts that want to be fully dry as when they aren't it can break the seal. I found having spares of everything and rotated them so I always had a dry set. The times I had no dry parts I would use a muslin cloth to get things as dry as I could. I know you aren't meant to because it does affect how sterile it is but in my mind that was better than my pump not working properly and affecting my supply xx

We have the Dr Browns steam sterilizer which sterilizes then dries with just one button (it wasn’t expensive at all, highly recommend). I have to wait a bit after it finishes because the parts need to cool down for me to put it back together but if we didn’t have it then yes I think I’d make sure the parts were dry some other way

I always just give it a shake and use it, even if there’s some sterilised water droplets on it

Thanks all! As theres lots of different options, and none of ur babies haven been sick, feels like i could do anything really! I guess the sterilisation is to make sure things growing on the plastic since ur last use is gone. And perhaps drying with tissue etc doesn’t matter if ur using the milk straight away? As im going to be storing then using this milk when they are 5 and 6 months old, i think a bit of extra sterile water in it, is not a problem for him. Especially as i will still be breastfeeding in between and this is just for 1 bottle a day!

It’s sterilized water, few drops are fine, no needs to dry out

I microwave mine and the steam comes off really quick and dries, or I dry it with some clean kitchen towel of I need it quickly. But also, it'll be sterile and not a lot, so I don't worry too much.